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Could 3D Printing Save the Public Library System? Mixed Opinions

Back in July, we covered a story about 3D printing coming to a Nevada public library. The University of Nevada engineering library became the first in the nation to offer 3D printing resources to the public. At On3dPrinting, we think this is a trend that is going to continue.

But some do not agree. We came across an editorial post at PublicLibrariesNews.com, where the author posts about why libraries will not make a good install base for 3D printing.

That’s right up to a point but let’s go deeper. For one thing, even now, a pre-assembled 3D printer can be purchased for $500. That’s barely over £300. That’s just about fine for libraries now. They provide computers precisely for people who can’t afford similar amounts of money after all. However, these prices are at the start of the technological revolution. Last year, one had to spend perhaps $1000. You can see where this is going. 3D printers are going to be cheap. Really cheap. Cheap enough that everyone who wants one is going to have one. There’ll be no need for libraries to provide them for the poor because everyone will own them, like the ubiquitous smartphone. Be prepared to see “Happy Birthday Wayne” 3D banners on roundabouts. Perhaps there was a time when it would have made sense for libraries, therefore, to provide 3D printers to the populace but that time has already effectively gone even before most of us were really aware of the possibility.

The other selling point for libraries in this is that we have friendly staff who will be able to help people in learning how to use them. That may be so in some branches of course. However, I’m willing to bet that right now the majority of staff working in libraries have not even heard of 3D printers. A lot of library staff frankly need to be more highly trained in Word, let alone the next disruptive technology. Moreover, libraries are in no position to help anyone. The current cuts mean that there is never been such a difficult time for libraries to justify gambling on such a new technology. It would be an act of desperation. An act of desperation, that is, unless there was a national investment programme to get 3D printers into libraries and the political will not only to do that but to train staff in the bargain. With the current belief in austerity and, on the side of all main political parties, in the free market and localism, that is simply not going to happen.

[...] Could 3D printing save the public library system? Mixed opinions – On 3D Printing. “Back in July, we covered a story about 3D printing coming to a Nevada public library. The University of Nevada engineering library became the first in the nation to offer 3D printing resources to the public. At On3dPrinting, we think this is a trend that is going to continue …”. [...]

Is it just me, or does this seem like a really bad idea? Do we really want people creating more plastic now that we have reports of the garbage patch blossoming to the size of North America? When the American Council of Plastics says we have a problem, you had better pay attention. These are the guys you would normally expect to say: “full-speed ahead.”

Hi Saul, great question. 3D printing is not about creating more plastic, it’s about moving the manufacturing to a local source and enabling more customization. It will also likely lead to reduced plastic because specialized materials can be used. There are 3D printers that can print in ceramic, rubber, stainless steel, other metals, and even organic materials like bone or soft tissue.

The purpose of libraries–especially public libraries–has always been to provide equal access to knowledge and information. 3D printing is a technology that has the potential to drastically effect how the world operates. Most 3D printers are extremely expensive, however, as is 3D modelling software, and the knowledge needed to use these technologies is not easily available.

Libraries can no longer think of themselves as places to store books. As eBooks become more and more popular, people will no longer need physical copies of them. Librarians need to shift their focus on how to democratize new, emerging forms of knowledge and electronic information, such as 3D printing, and worry less about collecting physical books that will be gathering dust in a storage locker in another ten years’ time.

[...] On 3D Printing is covering a seemingly heated debate among librarians over whether to bring 3D printing to the masses through libraries. The University of Nevada's DeLaMare Library Director Tod Colegrove is one strong advocate: "Printers remain largely inaccessible to students and faculty outside of a select few. We've changed that," he told KTVN in a July report about the library's new 3D printer. "With technology and a supportive environment, it becomes possible to breathe life into ideas – in the library." [...]